PCBPD: Spring Breaker killed in DUI crash

Published: Monday, March 10, 2014 at 09:36 AM.

PANAMA CITY BEACH — A Tennessee teen faces DUI manslaughter charges after a spring breaker was killed Sunday night in a head-on collision.

Detectives still are investigating the crash, which occurred on Thomas Drive near the Signal Hill Golf Course at about 9:15 p.m. Investigators said the crash involved a 2001 Ford Taurus sedan driven by 18-year-old Bruce George of Nolensville, Tenn., and a 2013 Panther scoot car operated by 22-year-old Brandon Beverly of Knoxville, Tenn.

Authorities said the Taurus was traveling east on Thomas Drive, approaching the area of Signal Hill Golf Course, and the scoot car was traveling west on Thomas Drive, approaching the area of Signal Hill Golf Course. According to police, the Taurus drove into the westbound lane and collided with the scoot car. Beverly, who was ejected by the crash, was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead from his injuries.

Witnesses to the crash identified George as the driver, which he admitted to police, according to an arrest report. George’s blood alcohol content was 0.159, nearly twice the legal benchmark at which a driver is presumed impaired, which is 0.08.

George was charged with DUI manslaughter and taken to the Bay County Jail. A judge set his bond at $100,000 Monday.

PANAMA CITY BEACH — A Tennessee teen faces DUI manslaughter charges after a spring breaker was killed Sunday night in a head-on collision.

Detectives still are investigating the crash, which occurred on Thomas Drive near the Signal Hill Golf Course at about 9:15 p.m. Investigators said the crash involved a 2001 Ford Taurus sedan driven by 18-year-old Bruce George of Nolensville, Tenn., and a 2013 Panther scoot car operated by 22-year-old Brandon Beverly of Knoxville, Tenn.

Authorities said the Taurus was traveling east on Thomas Drive, approaching the area of Signal Hill Golf Course, and the scoot car was traveling west on Thomas Drive, approaching the area of Signal Hill Golf Course.
According to police, the Taurus drove into the westbound lane and collided with the scoot car. Beverly, who was ejected by the crash, was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead from his injuries.

Witnesses to the crash identified George as the driver, which he admitted to police, according to an arrest report. George’s blood alcohol content was 0.159, nearly twice the legal benchmark at which a driver is presumed impaired, which is 0.08.

George was charged with DUI manslaughter and taken to the Bay County Jail. A judge set his bond at $100,000 Monday.

Police said additional charges are possible.

Below is an earlier version of this report.

PANAMA CITY BEACH – A spring breaker was killed Sunday night in a traffic crash involving alcohol, according to the Panama City Beach Police Department.

Detectives are investigating the crash which occurred on Thomas Drive near the Signal Hill Golf Course at about 9:15 p.m. Investigators said the crash involved a 2001 Ford Taurus sedan being driven by 18 year-old Bruce George of Nolensville, Tennessee, and a 2013 Panther scoot car operated by 22-year-old Brandon Beverly of Knoxville, Tennessee, according to a news release.
The Ford Taurus was traveling east on Thomas Drive approaching the area of Signal Hill Golf Course and the scoot car was traveling west on Thomas Drive approaching the area of Signal Hill Golf Course.

The Ford Taurus drove into the westbound lane, and crashed into the scoot car ejecting Beverly. Beverly was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead from his injuries. George was charged with DUI manslaughter and taken to the Bay County Jail, officials wrote.

Additional charges are pending and this crash is still under investigation, the news release states.